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Dennis Leonard Q&A: Righty a long-time participant in Royals caravan

Biggest thrill was coming back from injury in '86, winning 2-0

Dennis Leonard was 144-106 in his career, and was a popular member of the Royals pitching staff, although Cy Young winners Bret Saberhagen, David Cone and Zack Greinke have overshadowed the right-hander among KC pitching greats.

Dennis Leonard is the only pitcher in Kansas City Royals history to record three seasons of 20 or more wins, but the time Leonard pitches in to represent his former team is equally impressive.

Leonard is a frequent participant in Royals Fan Fest and on the Royals Caravan, and this year will be no different. The three-time winner of Kansas City’s pitcher of the year award will attend Fan Fest this Saturday at the Overland Park Convention Center and will accompany a caravan tour scheduled to make stops in Fort Scott and three cities in Missouri — Warrensburg, Springfield and Joplin.

“I have done the caravans for so long now that I see a lot of the same people every time,” Leonard said. “It is like a little reunion.

“I think it’s important that the organization continue to have the caravan because it is a regional team. The Royals have fans attending games from cities and towns in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.”

Despite finishing with a career record of 144-106 and being regarded as one of the Royals’ most dominant hurlers in the late 1970s and early ’80s, Leonard often is overshadowed in the pantheon of Royals pitching greats by Cy Young winners Bret Saberhagen, David Cone and Zack Greinke.

However, after returning from an injury that sidelined him for two-plus seasons, Leonard made a solid return in 1986 and has been a fan favorite in Kansas City since — in part because he has stayed close to the team and remains gracious with his time.

Although Leonard won’t be part of the Topeka caravan that is schedule to visit Skinny’s Sports Bar & Grill, 4016 S.W. Huntoon, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday — that group will include Washburn Rural graduate Aaron Crow, first baseman Eric Hosmer, pitcher Everett Teaford, announcer Ryan Lefebvre, Royals Hall of Famer Willie Wilson and mascot Sluggerrr — he recently agreed to a phone Q&A with The Capital-Journal while preparing for another offseason of handshakes, hugs and signing autographs.

Q: What do you remember most about your major league debut?

A: I came in against Baltimore in relief and I came in with men on base. The first guy up was Frank Robinson, so needless to say I was a bit nervous. I threw the ball and hit him in the rib cage. That was not good. I think he knew that I was nervous so there was no problem with him. The next guy up hit into a double play, so that made it better.

Q: During your playing career, who did you most admire? Who were your mentors?

A: I had a good relationship with Steve Boros, our first base coach. I played with him in Waterloo and in San Jose. He gave me a big push at a time when Jack McKeon was managing a team in Puerto Rico. They took me to Puerto Rico out of A-ball. That was something that did not happen often, and my teammates did not feel like I had earned a spot on the team. I left for a couple of weeks because my wife was having our first son. Then they complained that I wasn’t there. I went to Omaha in ’74 and he (Boros) went up to the big leagues in ’74. Steve was just a great guy who gave me a lot of support.

Q: What was your favorite road major league ballpark in which to play?

A: Boston. I grew up in New York, and was fortunate enough to play at Yankee Stadium in some all-star games when I was younger, so that was nice. Boston always intrigued me. It is where I won my first game so that made it special. Their fans are great and very knowledgeable.

Q: At what point in your life did you believe playing in the majors was realistic?

A: I was not drafted out of high school and did have some feelers that I could sign as a free agent. I got the feeling then that there was at least some chance that I could continue to play. Al Diaz signed me in college and then it became more realistic. They start calling and then you get the feeling that you have the opportunity to play professionally.

Q: Who was the most intimidating batter to ever step in the box against you?

A: It varies. Some days they have your number and some days you have theirs. As far as a guy that could put the game out of reach really quick, I’d say Jim Rice. Rice was a slugger and he hit one of the longest home runs ever off me in Sarasota, Florida, in Instructional League one year. It broke a window in a vehicle in the parking lot. I put hitters in categories (where) there are hard guys to get out, like a Rod Carew, and guys who could hurt you quick. Rice could hurt you quick.

Q: If you could sit down and talk to anyone from baseball, who would it be?

A: My dad passed away, but I would say him. My dad was proud of the fact that I made the big leagues. He followed me as much as he could. We had lots of conversations about baseball. He played catch with me in the backyard until I started throwing too hard. He just really enjoyed the game and it would be nice to talk with him about the game again. I would pick him.

Q: When and where did you see your first major league game as a fan?

A: I was a third-grader and a friend of mine’s dad had tickets to Yankee Stadium. They (the Yankees) played the White Sox. We were way up in the bleachers and I remember that the players looked awful small on the field.

Q: What was the most memorable moment from your playing days?

A: When I came back after I was injured, (that) was my greatest memory. I blew out my knee in ’83 and then did not get back until ’86. The Royals won the World Series in ’85, but I really had nothing to do with that team. I was able to come back and pitch one season. The fact that I started when I returned was a fluke thing because Danny Jackson got hurt. The game I came back in was on a Saturday and NBC had the game as the Game of the Week. I remember telling myself to not embarrass myself. I wanted to just stay calm and throw as long as I could. I threw a complete-game, 2-0 shutout against Toronto. When you ask this question, I think a lot of baseball guys think about the fans’ reaction to events, when they look back at key memories. The fans reacted well and it was a sellout. That game was my one little World Series. I think that sticks out more than any other game I pitched in.

Q: You played with George Brett. How would you best describe Brett?

A: George played hard and he was a good teammate. If you needed a clutch hit, he got it for you. I can’t say anything negative about him. When we played together I was married and he was single, so we didn’t run around together, but on the field and in the clubhouse he was great teammate. I was happy he made it to the Hall of Fame.